HOW WE SUPPORT SURVIVORS

We are committed to supporting your choices by advocating on your behalf and providing respectful, confidential services.

24-Hour Crisis Line Call: 612-871-5111 or 952-448-5425

The Sexual Violence Center Crisis Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at no cost.

Calls are completely confidential.

Our advocates are here to link you to SVC support and services. You can reach us through the crisis line to get immediate counseling support. Advocates can also connect you with other resources and opportunities for support from other agencies and government.

One-to-One Counseling

SVC offers individual, in-person counseling giving intensive, directed crisis support to victims and survivors. We provide up to ten sessions of counseling free of charge to anyone struggling with the effects of sexual violence on their lives. We believe in the tremendous positive power of an advocate sitting with a victim, bearing witness to their story and affirming that what happened was not their fault.

One-to-one counseling sessions can be scheduled by appointment at either our Minneapolis of Chaska offices. We also accept walk-ins in our Minneapolis office.

On-Site Counseling

We provide on-site counseling in schools throughout Hennepin, Scott, and Carver counties. We also are able to see youth for one-to-one counseling at the Annex Teen Clinic located in Robbinsdale.

Sign up for counseling by calling 612-871-5111.

Support Groups

SVC offers several support groups for survivors of sexual violence and concerned persons. (check out our flyer!)

2015 Support Group Schedule (closed groups)

Queer Survivors: next group starting August 2015

Female-Identified Survivors (adult): next group starting September 2015

Male-Identified Survivors (adult): one group starting March 2015; one group starting October 2015

Journey Through the Arts (open to all genders): one group starting in May

Support groups run 8-10 weeks in length and are 1 1/2 -2 hours per session. They are closed groups, which means the same people participate from beginning to end.

2015 Support Group Schedule (drop-in groups)

Weekly Drop-in Support Group: On-going, for people of any age and experience with sexual violence to come and get resources and learn coping skills.

Teen & Young Adult Support Group: Starts March 12, 2015, for young people of any gender, in partnership with Annex Teen Clinic.

Participants are welcome to join us as needed, even for a single session.

Call our support group line at 612-871-5100 ext. 14 for more information and an intake interview.

SVC also offers special support groups in various institutions in Hennepin, Carver and Scott counties including:

First Nations Recovery Center

Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center

Juvenile Alternative Facility

Normandale Community College

PEASE Academy

Plymouth Correctional Facility

Shakopee Women's Correctional Facility

If you are interested in having SVC facilitate a group at your organization or school call Christina at 612-871-5100 ext. 18.

24-Hour Medical Advocacy

Sexual Violence Center advocates support victim/survivors who choose to go to a local emergency room for medical attention after an assault. We will be with you every step of the way through your evidentiary exam and link you up with the follow-up services we provide.

SVC is automatically called whenever a victim/survivor of sexual violence arrives at a local emergency room - you do not have to call us yourself. It is your decision whether you want an advocate with you during your exam.

If you want to seek medical attention, please visit our page My Assault Is Recent for more information.

Legal Advocacy

Legal Advocacy

SVC provides legal advocacy services including support during your interview with law enforcement and filing for a restraining order.

The Sexual Violence Center maintains a referral relationship with Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid and Central Minnesota Legal Services. Through us, income-qualifying victim/survivors in Hennepin County have the opportunity to access legal advice and representation with a range of legal issues resulting from situations of sexual assault, stalking, trafficking and etc.

For victims/survivors in need of support in Carver or Scott counties, SVC maintains a referral relationship with Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS). Our advocates can link income-qualifying victim/survivors in these counties with legal advice and representation.

To seek access from a legal advocate, or to learn more about a referral for legal representation from Legal Aid or SMRLS, please call us during business hours at 612-871-5111 or 952-448-5425.